Contrast sensitivity and color vision with a yellow intraocular len.

Objective: To evaluate contrast sensitivity and color vision of yellow ultraviolet (UV) intraocular len (IOL) in cataract patients.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Extracapsular cataract extraction was performed in 60 senile cataract patients. The patients were randomly assigned to receive 30 yellow UV IOLs and 30 ordinary UV IOLs. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color vision were examined up to 6 months postoperatively.

Results: The yellow UV IOLs showed statistically significantly higher spatial contrast sensitivity than ordinary UV IOLs in the low and middle frequencies. There was no significant difference between yellow and ordinary UV IOL in color vision. Incidences of photophobia and cyanopsia were less in patients who received the yellow UV IOLs.

Conclusions: Yellow UV IOLs are preferable to ordinary UV IOLs in preserving spatial contrast sensitivity and cause less photophobia and cyanopsia in the early postoperative period.